Provincial Blog

Welcome to the Provincial Blog.

Here, we feature posts by our Friars and by other contributors from the Carmelite family. Our goal is to provide you with content relevant to Carmelite spirituality and life in the Province of St. Therese.To learn more about the people behind this blog, visit the About Blog Central page.To post a comment, just click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post or you can send us an email to let us know what you think.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Readings: 1st Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Resp. Psalm: Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18 Gospel: John 14:15-21 Things aren't always what they seem. Usually if we feel comfortable and our surroundings appeal to us we think that we are in the right place, doing the right thing. On the other hand, we can be tempted to believe that just be cause we are

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Readings:1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7Resp. Psalm Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-192nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9 Gospel: John 14:1-12 Given the lack of belief among the Apostles it is understandable that Jesus would reassure the people that He has a place awaiting them in Heaven if they listen to Him and do their best. It is never God's

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Readings:1st Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41Resp. Psalm Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 62nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:20b-25Gospel: John 10:1-10This day is traditionally called Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is the Good Shepherd whose voice we hopefully know and follow. But He warns us that we will not follow a stranger's voice. Hopefully the voice of the world and of the devil are strange voices to us but

Reflection: Suggestions During Quarantine Time

Greetings in our Risen Lord! We hope and pray you are well. As we continue to live through the new reality of our quarantine time, I would like to share with you some suggestions that may be helpful.• Create a schedule. This can help you to live a balanced life, which is very important especially now that you are spending most or all of your time at home. Following a good schedule can contribute

Third Sunday of Easter

Readings:1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Resp. Psalm Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 It is interesting that the eyes of the disciples going down the road to Emmaus were not opened until the breaking of the bread. Last week Thomas's eyes were opened when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the locked room. Why the difference?TimingGod

Divine Mercy Sunday

Readings: 1st Reading: Acts 2:42-47Resp. Psalm Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-242nd Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Gospel: John 20:19-31 In the first reading we read that the people took what Jesus did and taught mediated to them by the teaching of the Apostles, to heart. In holding their possessions and finances in common to help those according to their need speaks of the responsibility

Easter Sunday

Readings: 1st Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Resp. Psalm Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-232nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel: John 20:1-9 The Lord is risen! Alleluia! We thank the Lord most profusely for the wonders that He has done for us. Even though we celebrate Easter this year in the midst of sadness and concern, we still do thank the Lord because He will rescue all who believe

Reflections from Mount Carmel Center - April 7, 2020

I would like to share a few more thoughts about the topic addressed last time, which was the reactions many are having about the bishops' response to the present pandemic. I know there are many brave Catholics who are very much willing to risk their lives in order to receive the Sacraments, and that is very laudable. However, this is not just about the impact that

Palm Sunday

Readings: Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11 1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7 Resp. Psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 2nd Reading: Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66 We read from Book of the Prophet Isaiah what would happen to Jesus who is called the Suffering Servant. Bishop Sheen once noted that Jesus, Who is God, and since He is God, was able to forecast what would

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Readings: 1st Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14 Resp. Psalm Psalm 130: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 2nd Reading: Romans 8:8-11 Gospel: John 11:1-45We can and should always put our trust in the Lord. He will never let us down. We may never be able to fully understand why He does the things He does but the Scriptures do tell us that God brings good out of everything that happens for those who love

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Readings: 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Resp. Psalm Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel: John 9:1-41 We tend to try to find a reason for why things happen the way they do. If we are going to suffer, we want to find a reason. This is what happens when Jesus is asked who sinned? The man born blind or his parents? Jesus said neither. Ultimately

Third Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: Exodus 17:3-7Resp. Psalm Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-92nd Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8Gospel: John 4:5-42 God always provides for us. He always gives us everything we need. The Israelites needed water in the desert and they got it. He also provided them with manna even though it was not generally appreciated. He will always give us all we need when

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayReadings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6Resp. Psalm Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9,102nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3Gospel: John 1:29-34Now that Jesus has been baptized, John the Baptist continues to witness to Him. We see clearly that God chooses to communicate with us through His prophets before He actually carries out His Will.Since

Second Sunday of Advent

Image by Pezibear from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10Resp. Psalm Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 172nd Reading: Romans 15:4-9Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12Make straight his paths says John the Baptist. But how do we do this? We make his paths straight for Jesus's rebirth in our hearts by preparing. We do this by praying more, going to confession, that is, repenting, and by doing the good things we have

First Sunday of Advent

Image by Melanie Kirk-Mechtel from PixabayReadings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Resp. Psalm Psalm 122:1-9 2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14 Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44 Happy New Year! Today begins a new liturgical year. Our Church begins the new year differently from the rest of the world on purpose to show us that God's "time" is different than that of the world. I put time in

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Resp. Psalm Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 142nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:22Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 The first reading reminds us how insignificant we are compared to God. But since Jesus died for us we are precious. God wants to give us time to repent and He does. It says so in the Scriptures. We hear this during Advent. But He will not give

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4Resp. Psalm Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-92nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14Gospel: Luke 17:5-10When God tells us something, just as anyone else, He wants us to listen. However, God's word to us has priority. We may not understand what He is saying to us but point is that we take time to listen. We should pay attention to what we say in

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image by Dominik & Frederike Schneider from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18bResp. Psalm Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 172nd Reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17Gospel: Luke 14:25-33God's demands on us are great at times. We either choose Him or the devil, and this is a choice for Him that we have to constantly reaffirm. When Jesus tells us that we have to hate our own blood

Twenty-Second Sunday on Ordinary Time

Image by alessandro bonini from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29Resp. Psalm Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-112nd Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24aGospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14Humility is one one the main themes that has been in the readings at Sunday Mass this summer. We need to be truthful before God otherwise we cannot make spiritual progress. If we go to the doctor and don't

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image by kamal dharshan from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9Resp. Psalm Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-19, 20-222nd Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19Gospel: Luke 12:32-48Today's readings have to do with how we can be blessed. It may not seem apparent at first in the Gospel but a warning is a sign of compassion. If you do this you may end up in a worse state than

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14cResp. Psalm Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 202nd Reading: Galatians 6:14-18Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20The time to rejoice is now because God's missionaries are being sent throughout the whole world to preach the good news. This will be frightening at times because there are wolves that stand ready to attack and even worse, wolves in sheep's clothing. But Jesus's mission

Ascension Sunday

Readings:1st Reading: Acts 1:1­11Resp. Psalm Psalm 47:2­3, 6­7, 8­92nd Reading: Ephesians 1:17­23Gospel: Mark 16:15­20Now the disciples will be sent forth: with Jesus's ascent into Heaven and the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they will be able to carry forth the Great Commission baptizing everyone who wills it and preaching the Gospel.Jesus never told them to be

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Image by PublicDomainPictures from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Acts 15: 1­2, 22­29Resp. Psalm Psalm 67: 2­3, 5, 6, 82nd Reading: Revelation 21:10­14, 22­23Gospel: John 14:23­29In the first reading, it was said to the Gentiles converting to Christianity that circumcision was no longer necessary, however being told that it was necessary by those from Judea.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Image by Germán R from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Acts 14: 21-27 Resp. Psalm Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-132nd Reading: Revelation 21:1-5aGospel: John 13:31-33a, 34-35 It is interesting that Jesus said after Judas left (after the Last Supper) that the Son of Man is glorified. It is hard for us to think that Judas's evil deeds could glorify God or any evil deed for that matter. What Jesus

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Image by analogicus from PixabayReadings: 1st Reading: Acts 13: 14, 43-52Resp. Psalm Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 52nd Reading: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17Gospel: John 10:27-30 In today's Gospel, Jesus is the Shepherd of the sheep. When Jesus calls his sheep, they know what his voice sounds like since he is the Shepherd, so they can respond to Him.Sometimes we might wonder about the Will of God. How do we

Third Sunday of Easter

Image by Manfred Richter from PixabayReadings:1st Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41Resp. Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 132nd Reading: Revelation 5:11-14Gospel: John 21:1-19 Even though very great things can happen in our lives we have a tendency to go back to the mundane. This unfortunately is also true for the great graces that God gives us from time to time. St Peter was doing just this when he decided

Palm Sunday

Pietro lorenzetti [Public domain]Readings: At The Procession with Palms: Gospel: Luke 19:28-40 At Mass: 1st Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7 Resp. Psalm Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-242nd Reading: Philippians 2:6-11 Gospel: Luke 22:14-23:56Too many times we are tempted to listen to what the world says which is not good because the world is under the dominion of Satan. The world cheered

Third Sunday of Lent

Readings: 1st Reading: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15Resp.: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 112nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 In the first reading God tells Moses that He will soon deliver His people. In the Gospel He warns the people that they must be careful because judgement is just around the corner. He warns that since they are in sin, things like what happened to the people

Second Sunday of Lent

Readings: 1st Reading: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18Resp.: Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-142nd Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36The Transfiguration of Our Lord took place to give his Apostles hope. Despite what would happen to Jesus during his passion, he appeared greater than the two most important people in the Jewish faith: Moses and Elijah.For us, this should be evidence that Heaven does

First Sunday of Lent

Readings: 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10Resp.: Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-152nd Reading: Romans 10:8-13 Gospel: Luke 4:1-13 Today's Gospel tells us that the three enemies that we have are the flesh, the world and the devil. When the devil tried to tempt Jesus, Jesus would counter that attack with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that when we are tempted, God provides

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13Resp.: Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-132nd Reading: 1st Corinthians 15:45-49 Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 There are times that we can be tempted to think that God is always ready to get us back for the sins that we commit. This is definitely not true. Otherwise, Jesus would not have come to redeem us. Also, we must be mindful that committing sin is its

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8Resp.: Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-82nd Reading: 1st Corinthians 15:1-11Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 Jesus asked his disciples to put the boat out into deep water. This is symbolic of putting greater trust in God. Since we are not sea creatures, going further into deep water is more dangerous and uncomfortable. I remember a spiritual director

The Baptism of the Lord

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11Resp.: Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-302nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22Now that Jesus's birth has been manifested to the world, His ministry begins. Jesus not only tells us what we should do but he actually does what we should do: he is baptized in the River Jordan.Jesus did not need to be baptized like we do. He did not contract

The Epiphany of the Lord

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6Resp.: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-132nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12The time has finally come for Jesus to be made manifest to the earth. The first manifestation was to his parents, the second to the shepherds and now all of humanity.The Magi who came from the East, by tradition are called Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. It is a Catholic

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Readings:1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27Resp.: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 82nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7Gospel: Luke 2:16-21Many people do not understand how Mary, a creature, can be called the mother of God. It is very simple: since she's Jesus's mother, and Jesus is God, she is therefore the Mother of God - Theotokos. She's is also called Christotokos, the mother of Christ which is correct but in theology,

Feast of the Holy Family

Readings:1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28Resp.: Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-102nd Reading: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24Gospel: Luke 2:41-52Celebrating the feast of the Holy Family is very important. From the beginning of creation God instituted the family as an essential part of His plan for His people. God considers the role of father and mother so important that He asks them to aid Him in the creation of children.Jesus

Solemnity of Christ the King

Readings:1st Reading: Daniel 7:13­14Resp.: Psalm 93:1, 1­2, 5 (1a)2nd Reading: Revelation 1:5­8Gospel: John 18:33b­37 The inscription on the top of the Cross on Calvary said Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum ­ Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. It was written in the three known world languages of the time. There was no mistaking this. The Pharisees complained but Pilate stood

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:7­9Resp.: Psalm 126:1­2, 2­3, 4­5, 62nd Reading: Hebrews 5:1­6Gospel: Mark 10:46­52As St Teresa said, God places desires in us that He wishes to fulfill. Bartimaeus was asking Jesus to have mercy on him. Many in the crowd rebuked him but he kept on. Finally Jesus took notice of him and called him over. The crowd

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Numbers 11:25-29Resp.: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 (9a)2nd Reading: James 5:1-6Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 This Sunday's readings remind us that we live for the next world, not for this one. What does it matter if we don't have things in our lives the way we would prefer? If we suffer these losses for the sake of God's Kingdom, that is,

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20Resp.: Psalm 54: 3-4, 5, 6-8(6b)2nd Reading: James 3:16-4:3Gospel: Mark 9:30-37The reading from St James tells us a lot about what has been happening during the life of the world. So many times we ask for what we think we need but actually don't need those things. He says "You do not possess because you do not ask. You

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4c-9aResp.: Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (9) 2nd Reading: James 2:14-18Gospel: Mark 8:27-35In today's readings, Jesus is helping us to understand that we live in this world to determine where we will live for eternity. We must follow Jesus as we know, all the way to the Cross. This means that life on earth will be fraught with trials and adversity and unfortunately tragedy

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:1st Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6Resp.: Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (9a)2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20Gospel: John 6:51-58 If we want have wisdom, to know what is right, why it is right and the fortitude we need to act accordingly, we need Jesus, His flesh and blood in us.During the summer we hear from the Gospel of John about the Eucharist. At Mass we receive Jesus, His body and blood, soul and

Nativity of John the Baptist

Readings:1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6Resp.: Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15﻿2nd Reading: Acts 13:22-26Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80John the Baptist is the last of the Old Testament prophets. He heralds the advent of Jesus coming to preach and teach and ultimately die for all our sins. Just as the dawn precedes the day and clouds precede a rainstorm, Jesus was made known to

Ascension Sunday

Readings:1st Reading: Acts 1:1­-11Resp.: Psalm 47:2­3, 6­7, 8­9(6) 2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:17­-23 Gospel: Mark 16:15­-20Jesus gives today what is called the Great Commission. He tells his apostles to go out through all the world and tell the good news. He asks them to do great things for his kingdom, but one day he will return the same way

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-­34 Responsorial: Psalm 51:3-­4, 12­-13, 14­-152nd Reading: Hebrews 5:7-­9Gospel: John 12:20­-33Jesus goes before us to show us the way. He told his disciples about the grain of wheat that must die if it is to bear much fruit. But why do we have to die? Because of the Sin of Adam and Eve. So Jesus takes us to a new level – if

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14­-16, 19­-23 Responsorial: Psalm 137:1­-2, 3, 4­-5, 62nd Reading: Ephesians 2:4­1-0Gospel: John 3:14­-21 Jesus wants us to know that he came to sacrifice himself for all of us. St Paul tells us that even when we were dead in our transgressions, our sins, Jesus's sacrifice was ours for the taking. This is why in today's Gospel, John

Third Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: Exodus 20:1­17 Responsorial: 19:8, 9, 10, 112nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22­25 Gospel: John 2:13­25God has perfect timing. The Israelites were not given the Ten Commandments until the right time. If God is truly God, then everything about Him is perfect. We unfortunately tend not to see this because of our sinfulness. God asks

Second Sunday of Lent Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 Responsorial: 116: 10, 15, 16-17, 18-19 2nd Reading: Romans 8:31b-34 Gospel: Mark 9:2-10The inner circle of Apostles, Peter James and John went up the mountain with Jesus where Jesus was transfigured. Jesus's appearance changed to what He is, light – the Light of the world. What we are called to on this earth is

1st Sunday of Lent

Readings:1st Reading: Genesis 9:8-15 Responsorial: Psalm 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Gospel: Mark 1:12-15Because of rampant sin, God once destroyed almost all people on the earth by means of a flood. Now He has sent us Jesus to save us from sin by means of his passion death and resurrection. He even sent Jesus to Sheol to preach to the

Wedding at Cana – Part 1 of 2

Let’s begin with a little humor: There is a story about a priest named Fr. Murphy who went to visit a family in his small-town parish for a holiday meal. They all had a great dinner during which the wine flowed rather freely. Then it came time for Father to return home.The man hosting the meal said, “Hey Father we still have a half-bottle of wine left from the meal. I’m going to put

Second Sunday of Advent 'A' Homily – Part 2

John the Baptist On this Second Sunday of the New Church Year, John the Baptist stands before the ages and us in Chapter 3 of St. Matthew. He shouts out an invitation to repentance. He warns of impending judgment. He exhorts us to find security only int the Lord himself, not in superficial religious identity and external observances:For God can raise up children of

Under grace, we Catholic-Christians strive for a deeper development of our human personality in the lights of both reason and revelation (rational thinking and God's Word). We Catholics believe that our human DESTINY has been revealed as GOD ALONE. 'We have no purely natural destiny!' That is our Catholic theological conclusion from the collective data of sacred scripture.

General Chapter - Monday, May 4

The theme of the Chapter, which may become the title of the capitular document, is "Es tiempo de caminar"--or "It is time to walk," a phrase taken from The Interior Castle (see Dwelling Places 4, Chapter 3, Paragraph 2). Well, that's appropriate: 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . walk. Yes, it is time